ARCC Gap: Southeast Asia - Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand

Name: ARCC Gap: Southeast Asia - Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
Brand: ARCC Programs
SKU: 14765
Rating: 4.87 (39 reviews)

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4.87 Rating

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Location

Multiple Locations +3

Vietnam
Cambodia
Thailand

Length

4 - 26 weeks

Program Tags

Adventure Travel Conservation Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Post-High School Scuba Diving Instruction Social Justice Study Abroad Volunteer Abroad Wilderness

Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility, BIPOC funding

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Program Details

Activities

Animal Viewing Boating City Exploring Farming Hiking Kayaking Remote Exploring Sailing Scuba Diving Sightseeing Swimming

Timeframe

Fall Spring

Housing

Boat Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel Lodge Sleeper Train

Primary Language

English

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Starting Price

15000

Price Details

Program tuition includes accommodations, ground transportation, food, and activities once participants are in-country. All airfare is additional.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Some Equipment Meals Park Fees Transportation Travel Insurance

What's Not Included

Airfare SIM cards Visa

Last Updated: May 18, 2023

Last Reviewed: Apr 13, 2024

Wish List

57 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Leave the traditional classroom far behind, as we journey to the heart of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Our Southeast Asia Gap Semester is a unique blend of education, projects, and exploration of these intriguing and ancient cultures. Our exclusive access to people and places, developed over decades, gives us a window into aspects of Southeast Asia rarely experienced by outsiders. In Vietnam, we work with youth affected by Agent Orange in their daily activities. While exploring Cambodia, we get our hands dirty building and installing bio-sand filters for families in rural villages outside Siem Reap. We partner with local conservationists at an Elephant Nature Reserve deep in the jungle to understand the true value of conservation as we care for Thailand’s indigenous elephants. Standing knee-deep in rice paddies with our host families, we discover a way of life that has remained virtually unchanged.

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Video and Photos

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

ARCC Programs believes that social responsibility is an essential aspect of our programming and business operations. We strongly believe that cultural immersion, cross-cultural conversations, and reflection on these experiences can increase self-awareness, promote empathy, and foster growth. We recognize that our staff, student, and participant body is not as diverse as we would hope. We also recognize that there are inherent imbalances in access, particularly when it comes to international travel and outdoor experiences. Recognizing the current imbalances and accessibility issues within the world and more specifically within experiential/outdoor education/gap year programs, we are able to move towards a more just and inclusive world.

ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to gap@arccprograms.com.

LGBTQIA+ Support

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Neurodivergent Support

Our Essential Eligibility Criteria outlines the requirements for participation in our programs to determine if our programs are a good fit for each student. While ARCC Gap is not a therapeutic program, we do provide an inclusive environment for students with neurodivergence. We have had students with various diagnosed neuro-differences (such as dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, TS, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, etc) find success on our gap semester programs.

During our interview process, we have open communication with students and families about the support ARCC instructors are able to provide students while on program. For students needing some additional support, we ask them to complete a “Plan of Action” with their at home support system. These plans may include additional information about communication/support preferences, coping strategies, and/or specific requirements to encourage the student to engage with the program effectively. Once on the program, our instructors will periodically check in individually with each student, help the student stay accountable to their Plan of Action, and provide general support to all participants.

Accessibility Support

ARCC Gap Travels to locations around the world that have varying levels of accommodations for students needing accessibility support. For this reason, please see our Essential Eligibility Criteria to see if our gap programs are a good fit for you.

Whenever possible (determined by specific location and program - ie. infrastructure, access to specific health care facilities, dietary options available, etc), we have successfully assisted students with anaphylactic allergies, chronic medical conditions, and other accommodations on programs. We recommend that you reach out with specific concerns to your Gap Director to find the right fit for you.

Impact

Sustainability

At ARCC Programs we recognize that all human action impacts our physical environment and the living beings on the planet. Everything on Earth plays a role in supporting life and we believe that it is our responsibility to have a net positive impact with our actions. We strive to balance the impacts of our programming by partnering with communities and organizations with similar goals toward bettering our planet for future generations.

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Ethical Impact

ARCC believes that we (as an industry) need to shift the way we think about international service. We (as a society) have now come to realize that international volunteers often benefit from their service experience, while the impact on the community can be short-lived or even harmful. We at ARCC are taking the years of experience that we have in the international service learning realm, have reflected on previous mistakes, learned from our in-country partners, and have made changes. Our goal is to live, work, and learn alongside community members while also making a positive impact. We are committed to partnering with local community-driven organizations to focus on reciprocity while contributing to established long-term projects. It is our responsibility to engage in mutually beneficial community-driven projects and teach fair trade learning principles to our students.

Program Highlights

Explore Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and other Bustling Urban Centers
Study Public Health by Examining the Effects of Agent Orange While Working with Youth in Hanoi
Impact Lives While Installing Clean Water Filters in Homes in Cambodia
Become SCUBA Certified on the Thai Island of Koh Tao and Help Restore the Reef
Examine the Complexities of Elephant Sanctuaries and Rehabilitation in Thailand

Program Reviews

4.87 Rating

based on 39 reviews

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Rating Spread Gap Year

5 rating 87.18%
4 rating 12.82%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Housing 4.6
Support 4.85
Fun 4.75
Value 4.75
Safety 5

Good for Adventure travelers, Students, History Buffs

Showing 9 - 16 of 39 reviews

The opportunities that this trip has opened for me are incredible! Rarely have I been able to actively see my perspectives growing like they have here. The bond I have created with the group will stick with me for years to come. I have learned many things about myself and a part of the world I love. The people I have met, the moments I have experienced, and the things I have learned make this one of the most beautiful moments in my life. No doubt there were difficulties but I have no regrets! I highly recommend!

Pros

Learning how to work in a group
Broadening perspectives
Cultural exchange

Cons

Uncomfortable living situations at times

This gap semester changed my life!! I made forever friends and learned things I never expected. For example, whales used to have legs and now just have hips. Additionally, I absolutely loved working with all of ARCC’s consciously-selected partners and seeing beautiful new environments. As they say, “Not all who wander are lost.” This organization is truly so well run and supportive, and I can’t imagine having started off my gap year in any other way.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Amazing guided experience. This program gave me lifelong friends, an education I couldn’t get anywhere else, and a space to work on self growth. The program is filled with a perfect mix of volunteering like making water filters for local families, tourism like Angkor wat and cat ba island, and eduaction on topics like the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam war. My trip was filled with amazing conversations and many fun games in the our free time. My group shared lots of laughs, fun adventures, and some serious talks that helped us all learn and grow as people. AND AMAZING FOOD!!

Pros

Once in a lifetime experience
New friends

Cons

Little alone/down time

A great experience for those looking for some time off in a new culture, as it offers a electric time that provides an entirely new perspective to things such as voluntourism, culture shock, and re entry to a community after such a long time abroad. I highly recommend this for people looking for a life changing time of their lives, with people who will change your life forever. Our incredible leaders and esteemed guides made the trip and unforgettable experience and that goes highly recommended. as one of our students said “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”

Pros

Entirely new place with new experience
A world outside your window
A chance to connect with people all across the world

Cons

Solid!

I have had a great time with this incredible trip and being in Asia for so long with only 13 people. I have had so much fun from the boat in cat ba, exploring Cambodia and the snakes and elephants in Thailand and it has been life changing and would suggest anyone should consider taking this trip. We also saw amazing differences cultures even though the countries are right next to each from the people to and the food. It makes me one day comeback and maybe show more people about the places I have been but it also makes me want to visit more countries and there cultures that people might not know about that well.

I feel like I grew so much on my Southeast Asia semester. The people on my semester were great and the program itinerary was well thought out. Going to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand gave me a really comprehensive understanding of Southeast Asia as a region. ARCC did a really good job creating a balanced trip with time exploring really wide range of topics. Everything from a comprehensive history of the Vietnam War to a Thai cooking class. It was well balanced in being serious and thought provoking yet also very fun. I’d highly recommend ARCC to anyone who wants to learn about a different part of the world while building strong community with your group!

The Southeast Asia Gap Semester experience was probably the most fun and most important experience I have had in my life so far. Being able to step outside of the normal American life and into the cultures and places of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand was nothing short of amazing and very influential towards me as a person. I personally think that doing things like this, and especially while young, is incredibly important because you are able to be exposed to things that would never even be thought about unless you were there. In fact, on this program I learned many important things that were never even taught in school whether that be about conflicts, the environment, or the depths to the different cultures we were immersed in. Not to mention the people that I got to experience all of this with. I have friends for life because of this program! Overall, I am very thankful that I was able to take part in this program, and I am so happy that I got to meet all of these wonderful people and got to do all of these wonderful things.

Pros

Cultural Immersion
Wonderful Peers
Amazing Instructors

Cons

Away from Family

Part of temple complex visited during home stays in Thailand

First temple visited in Thailand. This is where we first learned about temple practices.

When I first signed up and got accepted into the program, I didn't really want to go because I felt that I was going to miss out on going to college with my friends and having a social life. Taking a gap year and doing this program made me realize that there's so much more in this world than we imagine. To have this opportunity is a once in a life time experience that I will never forget and I'm so happy that I did this trip.
I also took a gap year because I needed a break from school. I was mentally and physically exhausted and school was draining. This helped me just take a breather from the stress and anxiety school was doing to me.
I love my group and they will forever be my family. They are so supportive and loving, we have a special bond and it's so amazing how quickly we connected and got along. They were my rock and support system for three months, I won't find anything like this again.

Questions & Answers

did you have time to take photos etc and videos?

Yes there were a lot of photo and video opportunities. We had a group go pro that our leaders and members of the group used to capture moments through out the semester.

By Kendra Manuel on June 12, 2018

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

There were a number of programs that I could have chosen, but I choose ARCC for several reasons. I initially wanted to go to Asia and ARCC offered so many countries in a single semester in Asia, including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. A second attraction was that the variety of opportunities was wide and very appealing. For example, I was able to camp on the Great Wall of China, scuba dive in Thailand, work with children affected by Agent Orange in Vietnam, and watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A third appeal of the program was the balance of education, service work, and adventure.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

ARCC basically assisted with everything including advice on what clothing and equipment to pack, how to pack lightly, and what types of shots and medication to take. They offered help with any Visas that were needed. Regular email updates were sent to me and my parents about important deadlines and preparation tips. A few weeks before I left they had an online webinar to answer any remaining questions and to give a rundown of what the program was going to be like. One of the best things that they did was during the application process; they interviewed me over the phone to see if I was a good fit for them and they were a good fit for me.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One thing that I would say to a person going on this program is to really make the best of each day and be present. This is something that I wish I did more often because its really Important to know where you are in the world and really reflect. Something that I did was keep a journal and wrote in it every day. I’m really glad I did because its something that I’ll have with me for the rest of my life.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

A typical week of this program would be spent doing a number of different activities. including a couple of day hikes into some incredibly beautiful areas, prepping to teach children, teaching the children, touring around the city sampling local food, and enjoying a local home stay with families. In the evenings we would have a group meeting. The evening meetings are something that is a typical ARCC tradition.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear going into this was meeting my travel mates, wondering how I might fit in and get along for 3 months. As it turns out I overcame this fear by talking to people and actually made strong connections with them. I also made a really strong connection with my leaders. How did my views change? Well, I decided to sign up for another program with ARCC and I wasn’t nervous about meeting people at all.

Sarah Beth Spears

2017 Alum

Dana Alimena

2014 Alum

Meg Opalka

2014 Alum

Allie Williams

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

head shot

What position do you hold at ARCC and why do you like working there?

Anna: I have been a trip leader with ARCC for two years. My first summer I lead a language immersion trip to France, and the second summer I lead their Thailand Elephant Service trip. This past fall I had the privilege of leading their 3-month long Asia Gap semester to China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

I love working for ARCC because all of the students on the trips always have so much fun that my job doesn’t feel like work. We have a chance to really experience different cultures in places that many other tourists don’t go, which allows us to have a very authentic experience. ARCC then combines this with all sorts of adrenaline pumping activities like scuba diving and our groups always bond over these shared thrills.

How does your organization differ from other ones in the industry?

Anna: I feel lucky to be part of the ARCC team because they are constantly developing new trips. ARCC has newly introduced an India high school summer program, revamped their Tanzania summer trip and introduced their India and Nepal Gap semester.

The trip to Tanzania will include a section installing solar panels so the rural villages can have electricity for the first time ever. I am most excited about their India and Nepal Gap semester because they will study sustainable farming in a remote region of India and they will trek though the Annapurna Mountain Range in Nepal.

The chance to travel in one of the most populated countries on earth and engage in meaningful service projects is an opportunity of a lifetime, whether leader or student.

What would you tell a parent who's reluctant to send their kid abroad?

Anna: If I encountered a parent who was reluctant to send their student abroad, I would encourage them to help their child learn about the greater world first hand. I would tell this parent about one of my gap students, who had never left the East Coast before her three-month long trip through Asia.

I watched her grow in confidence and check many activities off her bucket list, including kayaking, scuba diving, interacting with elephants, flying overseas, learning a new language, riding in an overnight train, and trying so many diverse cuisines, even learning a few recipes to take home.

When she returned home, her parents saw a new woman, inspired to change the world, ready for college, and confident in herself. This is a common story among students who take a gap semester and I wish every student had a chance to grow in such a profound way at age 18.

What is one common misconception about taking a gap year?

Anna: A misconception about taking a gap year or semester might be that students spend the whole time partying. ARCC has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and drugs, and I believe this is important for students to get the most out of their trip.

We had a curriculum that focused on 5 key themes including Environment and Conservation, Literacy and Education, Public Health, Urbanization and the Movement of Peoples, and Micro-finance and Economic Growth. We had group discussions about these topics and how they related to each country. Students spent a lot of time journaling and free reading the recommended reading list, so they greatly enhanced their learning.

A gap semester is about learning outside the classroom, however the supplemental learning that we do with the course reader is essential. My Asia ARCC gap students loved finding out what they are passionate about while in this alternative academic setting. They will now take that passion to college with them.

About ARCC Programs

ARCC has been offering summer and gap programs for young adults since 1983. We offer an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Our programs take students on a journey of discovery of local peoples, places, cultures and ideas through project-based learning, rich cultural immersion, personal reflection and...